Suspect escapes from mob justice, lands into crocodile jaws

Two crocodiles are reported to have attacked a 23 – year – old man suspected to have been a goat rustler in Chikwawa when he dived into a river to escape from a group of people who wanted to exact mob justice on him.

The man, Shadreck Vitto has since been admitted to Chikwawa District Hospital after sustaining shoulder and leg injuries from the marauding crocodiles’ attack.

Chikwawa Police Station Public Relations Officer, Constable Foster Benjamin confirmed the development in an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Thursday.

Benjamin said the incident happened on Wednesday afternoon in Maperera River within Lazaro Village in Traditional Authority Makhwira in the district.

“The crocodile attack comes barely three days after he allegedly stole four goats in the village. He had since been on the run,” alleged Benjamin.

The police publicist said on the fateful day, a group of irate villagers searched and pursued him down to the river, saying: “Sensing danger, Vitto dived into the muddy waters but ended up landing into the jaws of the crocodiles.”

He added that the suspect engaged in a fierce wrestling with the aquatic beasts while screaming for help, adding that sympathizers came to his rescue and later rushed him to the hospital where he is receiving treatment.

Benjamin described Vitto’s condition who comes from Lazaro Village in Traditional Authority Makhwira in Chikwawa as stable.